Blechnum orientale L.
Indigenous language name(s): dalagasu, dalakasu, dalaqasu, makusa la dalagas, dalagas: vegetable fern, makusa na talakasu, makusa:red, tazaqas, talakasu
Other name used locally: Hong guo mao (red vegetable fern)
Skin and musculoskeletal system: First, wash the hairs and remove them. Obtain the tender fronds that are still curled. Rub them with your hands to remove the hairs, then dry in the sun. Mash them and apply externally to treat pustules.
The head of hairy pouzolzia (Gonostegia hirta) is sticky. To the ridged root bark add centipede fern. This mixture should be mashed and applied to draw out pus from blind pimples.
For the first attempt at drawing out pus, mash centipede fern with hairy pouzolzia and apply externally. After that, wipe with only hairy pouzolzia. If centipede fern is added, the wound will not heal.
Mash young fronds and add lime. Apply externally to draw out pus.
While conducting ethnobotanical interviews in the Dehua Community, almost everyone knew that this plant (centipede fern) could treat boils and had personally used it. The Thao people pick the young fronds, mash them, then add a little bit of lime. They then apply to the boil or abcess. After one night, the amount of pus and swelling decrease.
Mash the root bark of hairy pouzolzia together with centipede fern and apply externally. If there is pus there will be throbbing pain. When mashed, hairy pouzolzia becomes sticky and should not come in contact with moisture. When there is no pus, it can shrink the wound and centipede fern should not be added. Otherwise, the wound cannot heal. When there is no pus, only use hairy pouzolzia.
Centipede fern becomes sticky when mashed. Apply externally to draw out pus.
For blind pimples that are swollen, the pus cannot be drawn out directly. At this time, the head (bulb) of the Taiwanese lily (Lilium formosanum) and centipede fern can be mashed and applied to break the skin. Then, hairy pouzolzia and centipede fern can be mashed and applied to draw out the pus.
Raw blind pimples cause throbbing pain. When no pus comes out, the head of the Taiwanese lily and centipede fern can be mashed and applied externally to break the skin. Then, use hairy pouzolzia to draw out the pus. Do not add lime at this time, because lime is used to break the skin.
If the pimple is on the sole of the foot, it is necessary to break the skin as the skin is thick. Use the bulb of the Taiwanese lily, centipede fern, or lime to first break the skin. Then, use hairy pouzolzia to draw out the pus. If the pimple is on the palm of the hand, do not add lime.
Mash the young fronds and apply them externally to treat sores and draw out the pus.
Some types of talakasu are edible, but this species is not. It is used to reduce inflammation or swelling.
Diseases of civilization:
For syphilis ku pain, if severe and pus is about to burst out, use the tender red fronds of centipede fern. Wash off the hairs and dry in the sun. Then, mash them and apply externally.
Interview and specimen numbers: Yen 22661, 41589, 45840, 46353
Zhong Hua Ben Cao
Pharmacological properties: bitter, cooling.
Functions and indications: Clears away heat and detoxifies; promotes circulation and stops bleeding, repels insects. Mainly used to treat colds, headaches, mumps, swelling, bruises, epistaxis, hematemesis, hemorrhage, leucorrhea, and intestinal parasites.
